Best Social Distancing Diaries Podcasts (2024)

1
045 • Flawes 16:41

3+ y ago16:41

16:41

Join alternative band Flawes as they reflect on their 2020, the year in which they released their debut album just before the pandemic took hold. Pyjamas, running, carpentry, jigsaws, and Louis Theroux all feature along the way, PLUS, the band treat us to a very special performance of a winter classic to close the show. ➤ Listen to more from Flawes…

1
044 • Morgan St. Jean 18:52

3+ y ago18:52

18:52

Singer-songwriter Morgan St. Jean takes over the show today, live from quarantine in LA. Listen in for board games, family bonding, a special guest appearance, and a stunning acoustic performance of her new single ‘Lola’ ➤ Listen to more from Morgan here ➤ Follow Morgan here: @MorganStJean If you want to discuss your own experiences and join the co…

1
043 • Phem 17:29

3+ y ago17:29

17:29

Singer/producer Phem is joined by her dog as she sends in a diary from LA, she reflects on time spent in quarantine and lockdown this year, and chooses some big names to self isolate with! ➤ Listen to more from Phem here ➤ Follow Phem here: @Phem If you want to discuss your own experiences and join the conversation, you can reach us on: Email: soci…

1
042 • MarthaGunn 16:20

3+ y ago16:20

16:20

Abi and Humphrey from MarthaGunn quiz each other on their experiences of the pandemic and lockdown so far this year. From live-streams and poetry, to gardening and taking on Couch to 5k. They end the episode with an acoustic excerpt of their latest single 'Say When' ➤ Listen to more from MarthaGunn here ➤ Follow MarthaGunn here: @MarthaGunn If you …

1
Joyce: Still in Taiwan, the Covid Outlier 35:13

3+ y ago35:13

35:13

A return to Taiwan, an island off the Chinese coast, and a story that's largely been ignored unless it's to do with the standoff with China itself, which still regards Taiwan as a renegade province, and subject to eventual reunification, peaceful or otherwise. The recent crackdown in Hong Kong has only sharpened the notion that this is no idle thre…

1
Manuela and the Art of Juggling 34:57

3+ y ago34:57

34:57

Manuela Saragosa, who works for the BBC World Service but was speaking in a personal capacity as a friend, tells us about life in London as a single mother and a published author, trying to write some fiction on the side.By Jeremy Wagstaff

1
Johnny's Journey 21:45

3+ y ago21:45

21:45

Another old friend, this time from university days, a guy called Johnny who turned doing lighting for our campus band to into a skill and a career. Johnny was out in Asia at the same time as me, and so we ended up actually living together for a while in the early 1990s in Hong Kong. He has since been married, had a kid who is now an adult, and lost…

1
041 • Drug Store Romeos 15:33

3+ y ago15:33

15:33

In today's episode come and eavesdrop on Drug Store Romeos as the band have a freewheeling chat. From The Secret life of Plants and ESP, to tales of ghost dogs, and re-telling some of Milton Jones' best 'so-bad-they're-good' jokes. ➤ Listen to more from Drug Store Romeos here ➤ Follow Drug Store Romeos here: @DrugStoreRomeosBand If you want to disc…

1
040 • Nana Adjoa 24:43

3+ y ago24:43

24:43

Dutch-Ghanaian singer-songwriter Nana Adjoa tells us about her lockdown experiences in Amsterdam, and treats us to two acoustic performances of singles 'She's Stronger' and 'Throw Stones.' Nana's debut album 'Big Dreaming Ants' is released on 24 September. ➤ Listen to more from Nana here ➤ Follow Nana here: @NanaAdjoaMusic If you want to discuss yo…

1
Alex: Persona Non Grata 36:44

3+ y ago36:44

36:44

This week's podcast is another interesting one, for political but also personal reasons. It's another old friend, Alexandra Hall-Hall, whom I met when she was working at the British Embassy in Bangkok in 1991. I lost contact with her shortly after she threw me a farewell party at her home until I saw her name in lights last year when she resigned a…

1
Christine: Wine Country 33:20

3+ y ago33:20

33:20

This episode is with Christine Bader, who I first met in Indonesia in the early 2000s. I remember her as a fixture in the Cinnebar in Jakarta. She was working with BP managing the company's relationship with NGOs. In those days I was a wizened cynical hack, so I didn't set much store by such things, but she was funny, open and interesting and did i…

1
Martin: Bookshop Bound 35:59

3+ y ago35:59

35:59

I reunite with my old bookselling friend Martin Latham, who I haven't spoken to in more than 30 years. He sounds the same, and has a book out, the tales of a bookseller. He is the kind of person you want to just sit and have a beer with, or ask for advice on buying a book from. Luckily I could do both for a while, and I try to capture some of that,…

1
Tim's Daily Bread 24:10

3+ y ago24:10

24:10

We find out how Tim's former journalist and now pepper farmer in Australia, is getting on. Hear his back story in Season 1, episodes 2 and 14.By Jeremy Wagstaff

1
Susan's Long Game 31:50

3+ y ago31:50

31:50

We return to Susan, my childhood friend in northern England, to find out how she's coping, living alone and running an essential business and worrying about her mother. Hear her backstory in episodes 8 and 12.By Jeremy Wagstaff

1
039 • more 20:00

3+ y ago20:00

20:00

Join hot new LA band more around the campfire, as they play us 2 songs from their debut EP. PLUS: biker gangs, psychedelic drugs, meditation, and pool cleaning! ➤ Listen to more from more (!) here ➤ Follow more here: @more.mp3 If you want to discuss your own experiences and join the conversation, you can reach us on: Email: socialdistancingdiaries@…

1
038 • Oli Fox 25:55

3+ y ago25:55

25:55

Oli Fox gets to live out his dream by hosting an episode today. Having spent months in Scotland for the duration of lockdown, the rising singer-songwriter is now back in Southfields, London, where he recorded this episode. Stay tuned for tales of new songs, new babies, new dogs, getting sunburn, Oli’s ideal lockdown household, and, an acoustic teas…

1
037 • Nova Twins 18:22

4y ago18:22

18:22

Georgia and Amy from Nova Twins perform a genre bending mix of hip-hop, rock and punk. In this episode they explore the positives they’ve experienced over recent months. Embracing a slower pace of life, writing songs without distraction, bonding with fans online, and the allyship they’ve felt around Black Lives Matter movement. ➤ Listen to more fro…

1
036 • Joshua Speers 35:54

4y ago35:54

35:54

Rock songwriter Joshua Speers sends in his experiences of the pandemic from LA for this episode. After releasing an EP in May, his tour plans for the year were cancelled. In this diary he details struggles to find tranquility, and the exhaustion of masks and screens. Praise comes for comfortable pillows, mindfulness, and nighttime drives. ➤ Listen …

1
035 • Ronnie Watts 15:27

4y ago15:27

15:27

Based in the Rochester suburbs of New York, Ronnie Watts sends in today’s diary. She considers how the acceptance of the pandemic has changed over time in the USA, and questions why she can't seem to remember anything of the whole month of April.... Stay tuned to learn about “water pong,” the writing process of her new single ‘Sad Summer,’ and reve…

1
034 • Another Sky 31:54

4y ago31:54

31:54

On the eve of the release of their debut album 'I Slept On The Floor,' all 4 members of Another Sky join us for this episode, sharing diary excerpts and their experiences of the last few months. A raw and powerful listen. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this episode, we recommend the following resources: https://www.myblackdog.co/ h…

1
033 • Luwten 13:25

4y ago13:25

13:25

Producer, songwriter and musician, Luwten takes us behind the scenes of band rehearsals after 3 months of lockdown and her bandmates being apart. Recorded in the Netherlands, in this episode Luwten explores the challenges facing musicians in lockdown: from recording new material, to shooting videos. Along the way we meet her bass player Ralph, and …

1
032 • Maddox Jones 23:09

4y ago23:09

23:09

Recording his episode whilst chilling at the piano, Northampton based singer-songwriter Maddox Jones sends in today's diary. He plays us debut single 'Headspace' and gives us an exclusive preview of brand new song 'World's Gone Mad,' inspired by the pandemic. ➤ Listen to more from Maddox here ➤ Follow Maddox here: @ItsMaddoxJones ➤ For more informa…

1
031 • Kara Marni 21:03

4y ago21:03

21:03

R&B and soul singer-songwriter Kara Marni takes over the pod today, coming to us live and direct from her "Music Shed." She tells about her experiences of the last few months; from Zoom based writing sessions, and a new-found love of gardening, to the more recent issue of forgetting to leave the house with a mask. Kara closes the episode with an ac…

1
Building Healthier Relationships with Deoye Falade 1:28:42

4y ago1:28:42

1:28:42

On this week’s episode, I and my friend Deoye discuss how we intend to build healthier romantic and parenting relationships. Share feedback with us by sending a mail to mediabyaugust@gmail.com.

1
030 • Max Pope 14:26

4y ago14:26

14:26

Rising singer-songwriter Max Pope sends in his diary today, co-hosted with his guitar. Max reflects on 12 weeks of lockdown spent between London and Brighton, sharing several musical interludes along the way featuring his own songs, a favourite Beatles number, and a composition inspired by his daily walks to the sea. ➤ Listen to more Max Pope here …

1
029 • Arlo Parks 17:21

4y ago17:21

17:21

To kickstart our second series Arlo Parks sends in today's diary. With over 30 festival appearances, a SXSW debut, and a Hayley Williams tour support cancelled this summer, she's had a lot of time to reflect and continue working on her debut album. Based at her parental home in West London, in this episode she shares excerpts of her lockdown journa…

1
How To Deal With Social Distancing While Single with Chisom 20:13

4y ago20:13

20:13

On this week’s episode, I speak to my friend, Chisom Ojukwu about how he’s dealing with social distancing as a single person. Share your experiences with me at mediabyaugust@gmail.com.

1
Don’t Talk About My Body with Tobi Asekun 37:10

4y ago37:10

37:10

This week, I joined my friend, Tobi Asekun on her podcast, This Nigerian Life, to talk about body shaming.

1
The Journey to Healing After Sexual Abuse with Nkiru 1:07:03

4y ago1:07:03

1:07:03

On this episode, I speak with a guest, Nkiru on how she survived being raped and found healing. If you’d like to speak with Nkiru about your own experience, please send an email to mediabyaugust@gmail.com.

1
028 • Asylums 16:54

4y ago16:54

16:54

Luke Branch from UK rock band Asylums submits a diary today. He reflects on a few months spent in lockdown; how it’s allowed him to slow the pace of life, and also work songwriting into his daily routine, leading to the recording of over 130 new pieces of music. Studio time aside, Luke has been embracing family time and continues to run his own rec…

1
027 • Empara Mi 9:20

4y ago9:20

9:20

Singer-songwriter Empara Mi was poised to launch her debut album ‘Suitcase Full of Secrets’ at the end of March. With plans to celebrate the release with live shows subsequently cancelled in the face of the pandemic, Empara tells us how she’s been spending time at home. From working on a second album, to gardening, and embracing the world of live s…

1
026 • Joy Crookes 23:15

4y ago23:15

23:15

Joy Crookes is a soul singer-songwriter from South London, at the beginning of the year she was hotly tipped across the board, from the BRIT Awards Rising Star shortlist to the BBC Sound Poll, by MTV, YouTube, NME and more. In this episode she shares the highs and lows of her lockdown experience so far, introduces us to her new cat Diego, and revea…

1
21: Ending in the Time of Corona 26:58

4y ago26:58

26:58

TW: Police brutality & Racial Violence In the final installment of the Corona Diaries, Jill and Julia look back on their favorite interviews and guests, and discuss all of the things they learned producing a podcast in the time of Covid-19. Jill looks back on her favorite episode, “Audio Storytelling in the Time of Corona,” and Julia discusses the …

1
025 • Limahl 13:56

4y ago13:56

13:56

Limahl was the lead singer of pop group Kajagoogoo in the 80s, before embarking on a solo career which saw the release of 1984 hit ‘Never Ending Story,’ taken from the film of the same name; and most recently seen in Netflix’s Stranger Things. He sends in a diary today from his home in Hertfordshire, where he has been in lockdown. Spending time cyc…

1
024 • Gia Ford 12:37

4y ago12:37

12:37

Self isolating in South London, Gia Ford sends in today’s diary. She tells us about the experience of releasing her second EP ‘Murder In The Dark’ in quarantine, from dealing with cancelled shows, to a newfound space for creativity. She also provides advice on how to cope during lockdown, talks about things she is missing the most, and discusses he…

1
023 • Junodream 24:01

4y ago24:01

24:01

Ed, Dougal and Tom are 3 of the 5 members of London-based indie band Junodream. In this episode we join them as they discuss what they’ve been up to in lockdown, the effects of the coronavirus crisis on the music industry as a whole, and ponder how their plans for 2020 have been changed. PLUS: Lindsay Lohan, Bono, supermarket scraps, explorations i…

1
20: The World in the Time of Corona Part 6: Russia 31:03

4y ago31:03

31:03

In the final installment of our exploration of COVID-19 around the world, we head to Russia to find out how the transcontinental country is dealing with the pandemic. Kira Tverskaya, the Social Media Manager at Echo of Moscow Radio, chats about how the public have responded to rules and regulations and Russia’s desire to avoid declaring a state of …

1
022 • GRACEY 20:26

4y ago20:26

20:26

Singer-songwriter GRACEY recorded today’s diary at her family home in Brighton. She tells us about her newfound obsession with TikTok, receives an unexpected mid-podcast appearance from her grandma, and reveals how to celebrate a Top 40 single in lockdown. PLUS: a special bedroom performance of her single ‘Alone In My Room’ ➤ Listen to GRACEY here …

1
James in Tokyo 25:36

4y ago25:36

25:36

Jeremy talks to James, Japanese-Canadian CEO and an early entrepreneur in mobile health tech, who finds himself in mid-lockdown in Tokyo working the phones to help out friends and colleagues to fill some of the void in the international war on Covid-19. Indonesia watchers might be encouraged by what he has to say. But what about the implications: w…

1
Jeremy: A Brother's Tale 5:28

4y ago5:28

5:28

By Jeremy Wagstaff

1
021 • Josef Salvat 21:32

4y ago21:32

21:32

Australian singer-songwriter Josef Salvat has just released a new album, the appropriately titled ‘Modern Anxiety’ - in this episode he sends us a diary that spans from April to May, and takes us from Sydney to London. Along the way there are struggles with rural internet, impromptu hotel stays, tearful airport goodbyes, and rumination on what the …

1
020 • Eyelar 17:06

4y ago17:06

17:06

On lockdown in Holland, and unable to return to London for her debut live shows, singer-songwriter Eyelar sends us today’s diary. Alongside sharing tips on how to remain positive, Eyelar tells us how she has been spending her time: writing and recording new music, making her own lo-fi music videos, baking cakes and (via Instagram Live) even customi…

1
19: The World in the Time of Corona Part 5: South Africa 51:12

4y ago51:12

51:12

In this episode we speak to Monique Mortlock, a friend and journalist at eNCA, about how South Africa has been handling the current COVID-19 pandemic. Monique explains how her life as a field journalist and essential worker has been affected, and how her team is finding new ways to report. She highlights the successes and failures by the South Afri…

1
Susan: UK Revisited 29:54

4y ago29:54

29:54

Jeremy Wagstaff writes: As part of his Life in a Pandemic podcast series, Jeremy talks again to Susan, a childhood friend he spoke to a month ago. She's taking cover in her home in northern England, where she runs a company that makes colours -- for everything from paint to body bags. Susan, living alone and wrestling with trying to run a company d…

1
Back to Tim in Braidwood 19:59

4y ago19:59

19:59

It's April, time to revisit Tim and his pepper farm in Braidswood, Australia.By Jeremy Wagstaff

1
019 • Aquilo 19:00

4y ago19:00

19:00

Ben and Tom from Aquilo have a socially distant call between Dorset and London in today’s episode. They discuss how they’ve been keeping busy during lockdown: from the benefits of south facing balconies, kitchen based song-writing, and running 10Ks, to Lidl middle-aisle appreciation, and weekly family chats. They conclude with a cover version of th…

1
Joyce: Taiwan Revisited 32:00

4y ago32:00

32:00

Jeremy Wagstaff writes: My former colleague Joyce, still in her native Taiwan. Is the poster child of how to handle a pandemic still doing well, or have things, as she feared, slipped? Joyce is one of the several people who are sheltering in places that aren't where they supposed or necessarily want to be. Running to Taiwan was her idea when Hong K…

1
018 • Birthh 14:34

4y ago14:34

14:34

Currently self-isolating at her studio on a New Jersey farm, Birthh hosts today’s diary. Featuring: tales of dental surgery, an array of animals (parrots, dogs, cats, AND a crocodile… kind of), musings on the perception of time in isolation, and some final thoughts on the enriching power of art. Along the way Birthh plays 3 songs from her new album…

1
017 • AWA 17:36

4y ago17:36

17:36

Rising R&B singer-songwriter AWA sends in a diary from her Sweden home for today’s episode. Recorded across a few days of isolation, join her as as she builds up to the release of new single ‘Too Late For That’ - navigating the challenges of launching a record remotely, and maintaining good mental health during these difficult times. ➤ Listen to AW…